Landmark Land Court Case on Galilee Basin Mine

Five objectors including landholders, environment groups and other individuals will contest the Alpha Coal mine in the Land Court from the 16th September. Landholders from the Desert Uplands (AKA the Galilee Basin) will give evidence about the potential impacts of the mines on their livelihoods, on Wednesday the 18th. Please join us as we assemble out the front of the Land Court from 9AM on Wednesday the 18th in support of the landholders to say that our groundwater, our communities, and our climate are more precious than coal. The hearing will begin at 10AM and anyone can attend to hear the landholders' evidence.

For more information on the case see below. Here's the most important facts:

The event: When: Meet 9AM sharp, Wednesday the 18th September. Stay longer to hear landholders giving evidence in the court room from 10AM. Where: Meet Outside the Land Court of Queensland, 363 George St, Brisbane CBD What: A respectful but playful act of solidarity with the landholders and other objectors to the Alpha mine to help attract media attention and show landholders our support. Dress smart. Whether you'll be attending the court hearing afterwards or not. Who: Lock the Gate Alliance is coordinating the event with support from a number of groups. All welcome, please spread the word.

https://www.facebook.com/events/235457349938248/

More details: Paola Cassoni, from Bimblebox Nature Refuge, will be one of five objectors to GVK Hancock's "Alpha" Mining Lease and Environmental Authority in the Queensland Land Court. Objectors will be taking on GVK Hancock's mine on the grounds that it will have unacceptable impacts on ground and surface water, the economy and the climate.

The Alpha project is the first project in the Galilee Basin to have received approval from both the State and Federal Governments. It involves a 30MT/a coal mining operation, a rail line and links up to a separate port development at Abbot Point. If build it will neighbour the Bimblebox Nature Refuge and involves 'dewatering' of local aquifers which will impact neighbouring cattle stations.